Jaqueline Piscitello (DC ‘89)

Jacqueline (“Jackie”) Piscitello earned her bachelor’s degree in the self-defined major of Computer Graphics from Carnegie Mellon University before heading to Silicon Valley, where she worked for four years in the tech industry. She later pivoted to law, attending the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. For the past four years, Jackie has served as General Counsel and Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs at The Flex Co, a maker of women’s healthcare medical devices and related products. Her career is driven by a passion for supporting women-founded companies, particularly those with missions focused on women’s health.

From Computer Graphics to Women's Rights

Jackie credits her father, a patent attorney, for sparking her early familiarity with law, but it was during her time at Carnegie Mellon that her interest in women’s rights took root. With no formal classes on women’s rights available at the time, Jackie created her own path, completing an independent study under philosophy professor Ernie Alleva. This experience, which exposed her to a variety of literature on gender equity, was instrumental in shaping her future career ambitions.

While working as a software engineer in Silicon Valley, Jackie realized she craved work that aligned more closely with her values. Volunteering with organizations such as the National Organization for Women (NOW) deepened her desire to make an impact, leading her to pursue a career in law. Though her computer science background might seem worlds away from law, even now Jackie continues to apply skills like logical problem-solving and structured analysis in her legal practice.

Finding Fulfillment in Work

Jackie thrived at Berkeley Law, where she was finally able to immerse herself in a field she was passionate about. Her husband joked that she was often caught smiling at her law books — a testament to her enthusiasm for her studies. Reflecting on her path, Jackie advises students to take time between undergraduate and graduate school to gain perspective and focus on their career aspirations. 

After earning her law degree, Jackie began her legal career at a major law firm, specializing in employment and labor law. She discovered a genuine enjoyment in advising companies on compliance, finding that most businesses want to do the right thing when given proper guidance. Over time, her career evolved, leading her to in-house roles where she could tackle a broader range of legal and strategic challenges.

Jackie enjoys the variety her role as General Counsel at The Flex Co. offers, from navigating complex regulatory landscapes to providing broad-based advice across the company’s operations. While she appreciated being a subject-matter expert earlier in her career, she now finds fulfillment in the dynamic and multifaceted nature of General Counsel work. 

Finding a Career with Purpose

Jackie encourages Carnegie Mellon students interested in law to explore their passions and prioritize finding careers with purpose. For her, working for a women’s health-focused company with a female CEO brings meaning to even the most routine tasks. She emphasizes the importance of aligning work with personal values to prevent burnout in the demanding legal profession.

This year, Jackie is excited to continue her journey as a General Counsel but will be broad broadening her scope by launching a new law firm – ExecutiveGC – that will offer fractional General Counsel services not just to The Flex Co., but to other growing startups that are not yet ready for a full-time in-house attorney. An important part of her new practice will be to support female founders and/or women-focused companies. By offering her senior-level, business-focused expertise, she hopes to contribute to the growth and success of mission-driven companies.